I’M BACK FOR THE NEW YEAR! // Goodbye 2017 ft. the end of year book survey + 2018 resolutions!

IT’S 2018!

High key mind blown right now???? (Even though we’ve had several days already to process the news)

It’s been a couple of days* since I’ve last talked to you guys and now it’s 2018???? What is this witchcraft????? I am led to believe I CAN CONTROL TIME, GUYS.

*days = months :O

…But obviously not really because if so I would’ve frozen time to finish my TBR (smart, eh?) and keep up with this blog and the community which I have ABANDONED for the past few months…

I’ve had a rough couple of months, with work and my studies which were becoming too overwhelming to handle alongside with blogging, and although this hiatus certainly helped and I don’t necessarily regret it, I amsorry for leaving so suddenly and overall ending 2017 with… silence?

YOU GUYS DESERVE MORE THAN THAT and I’ve also missed talking to you so much… FORGIVE ME, FRIENDS. ❤

But now it’s 2018 and I’m not usually one of those “new year, new me” people (we all know I’m gonna forget all about my so-called new year’s resolutions as soon as February hits but shhh) I’m taking it as a fresh start!

To wrap up 2017, I’ve decided to participate in the annual End of Year Survey for 2017 hosted by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner! (But I’m cheating and haven’t answered some/many of the questions.)

AKA BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS.

Paradise, yes?

PIESSSSSS AND STATS.
As in pie charts to organize some stats! Sadly not actual pies (my mailbox is open though).

Number Of Books Read: 72 (goal was 60)

I had a SHOCKINGLY high amount of 5 star reads this year!! I’m not too much of a hard marker, sure, but nearly 50% of all my reads were rated 5 stars??? I mean that’s a good thing for sure, but I’m super shocked. Am I just an easy marker or did I just choose good books? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I had a few 2 and 3 stars, but overall I had a really great reading year! *celebrates with pie*

WHAT IS THIS MADNESS THO.

Number of Re-Reads: 10

Most of my reads were books I haven’t read before, unsurprisingly! A lot of my rereads were of series, I believe, like the Lara Jean books, the first 2 books in the Shades of Magic series, This Savage Song… all of which had the third or final book releasing this year! (I have an AWFUL memory, guys.)

But then there was also the Six of Crows duology which I adore SO MUCH I read them for no reason other than puuuuuure love. :))) But tbh you don’t need a reason to reread books? JUST DO YOUR THING.

Genre I Read The Most From: CONTEMPORARY

I read a TON of contemporary this year, like, you have no idea. (Well, you can kind of get an idea seeing how contemporary took up nearly 60% of my reads this year but whatever.)

I looooove fantasy but I noticed I didn’t end up reading many of them this year??? What happened to me. Most of my contemporary reads were great though, so I have no regrets!

Best Books You Read In 2017?

Guyyyyyyyyys. If there’s one thing that kills me about the end of a year, it’s choosing the favourites??? I don’t know why it’s so hard but maybe it’s because I just feel so bad about leaving out a book from the top books list because I still liked it? THE STRUGGLE.

Books You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson: ★★★ 2.5 stars? Uhhhh. Main feeling: BOREDOM. Sadly. I was expecting a tear-jerker and although it was sad in the end, all throughout was so s l o w unnecessarily?? I just got bored and also I found the grudge Taylor’s friends were holding against her pretty pointless?

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert: ★★★ I really really loved the diversity of this one! The protagonist is questioning, most likely bisexual, and her brother has bipolar disorder, and many of the side characters were diverse as well in a very casual way which is AMAZING. It isn’t bad by any means at all, in fact I would still recommend it, but at the same time I couldn’t connect to many characters which made it quite tiring.

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon: ★★★ INSTA LOVE. I should’ve known to stop there. Ahh.. It was cute, and I like the issues it tackled but overall it was not really what I was hoping for?

The Authentics by Abdi Nazemian: ★★ Although I appreciate the racial diversity of our Persian-American protagonist Daria (I think), I was just SO ANNOYED with her the majority of the time. Aghhhh. Sure, she’s a teenager and I probably could see myself reacting like she did, but story-wise? Sooooo annoying.

Lucky in Love by Kasie West: ★★ Yikes. Did not like this one at all. The love interest was sweet though! But the protagonist…………… gosh. This book had such a cute premise, and I love Kasie West’s other books, but this one was all too predictable for me to enjoy it.

Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2017?

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas: If you’ve read this book (and you all have, am I right? RIGHT?), you must know how INCREDIBLE this book is, spreading awareness about the Black Lives Matter movement, and empowering POC. YES PLEASE. (Also that family dynamic!! LOVE.) I never realized how bad police brutality could get, but ahhhh. This book was so heartbreaking, yet so full of hope?!

(And the pairings from Six of Crows, OBVIOUSLY. Is that even a question.)

Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year?

Sevro and Darrow from the Red Rising series: SEVRO my child!! His and Darrow’s relationship was so perfect, filled with loyalty, anger, and all that fun stuff. (SOMEONE KICK ME FOR WAITING SO LONG TO READ THIS SERIES.)

Adam and Julian from A List of Cages: This sibling-like relationship is so pure and perfect and I can’t even. ❤

Kell and Rhy from the Shades of Magic series: The Shades of Magic series again! A surprise to a grand total of 0. 🙂 This bromance was so pure and beautiful and ahhhh I would trade romance for this any day tbh.

I’m trying to find an outstanding male-female or female-female non-romantic relationship apart from Six of Crows and I’m failing. UGH. WHERE ARE THOU BOOKS.

Best Books You Read In 2017 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure?

Best 2017 debut?

Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust: What a lovely retelling this was??! This book completely sneaked up on me, I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did!

Saints & Misfits by S.K. Ali: I loved reading this book! I had a few issues with it, and the ending was a bit too open-ended for my liking but it’s an incredibly important book ft. a Muslim MC! Don’t sleep on this one!

Definitions of Indefinable Things by Whitney Taylor: I don’t find many books with characters with depression, so this one was super interesting to read! I actually really loved the cynical and sarcastic voice of the protagonist, and it made me laugh so much!

Books That Put A Smile On Your Face/Were The Most FUN To Read?

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon: A book! About two Indian-American teens! Falling in love! I’m not Indian, but this book probably came the closest to representing my own background and I love love love how fun to read this was! (Can someone please find me a Rishi????)

Geekerella by Ashley Poston: A geeky, fandom-related Cinderella retelling! So, so adorable. If you like reading cute contemporaries, THIS. ❤

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson: How fun was this?? I was kind of annoyed with Emily (? I think) at first for being so dependent on her best friend, but this was such a cute summery book and I loved it.

I’ve talked about most of these already many times, so I’m just going to say: TISSUES ARE YOUR FRIEND. Before 2017, I hadn’t teared up that much at books?? And then I read these and that flew out of the window, no questions asked. (Some of them I probably teared up/cried more than others but I don’t remember details lol.)

Hidden Gem Of The Year?

The Art of Feeling by Laura Tims: ★★★★★ The perfect mix of happy and sad and fjoejfoiwejfoijfi READ THIS. So, so, SO underrated in contemporary I can’t even.

Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

I’m interpreting this as the discussion or non-review post I enjoyed writing the most? Because there’s a question speaking about the popularity down below, so in this case I’d say:

The book aesthetics were SO much fun to make, oh my gosh. I’m addicted. I really loved the topics I was writing about for these posts, which made it so much easier and fun to write!

Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2017?

There have been plenty of moments that made me happy during 2017 for blogging, but I’ll have to say hitting 1000 followersfelt pretty great! ❤ (THANK YOU!) I’m at around 1700 right now, and that’s just so mind-blowing to me, especially with how inconsistent this year has been?!

^ That gif is LITERALLY me though???

Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?

Definitely keeping up with the community, and maintaining my own blog! There’s only so many hours in a day, and I really struggled to comment on other posts when there are so many blogs I follow, reply to my own comments, and also consistently write posts that I like. (How do y’all do it all????)

(WHY IS BLOGGING SO HARD.)

(I still love it though.) :))) ❤

Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?

I was actually so surprised with how popular this post was?? Usually comments come in a few days within posting, but I would randomly get comments on this post months after I posted it? It was so unexpected but I’m so happy people liked it!

Oooh I actually had lots of fun writing this post! Not to mention I also hit 1000 followers at this time and was holding a giveaway, which was exciting!

Another pleasant surprise! While writing this actually took really less time (I usually spend a lot of time writing a post) and it was pretty simple–I never expected it to get as much response as it did, but it was SO much fun reading and replying to everyone’s comments! (To all of you who warned me I would cry during The Book Thief… Y’ALL WERE RIGHT. RIP my heart)

Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

Uhhh I actually can’t find or remember what my goals were apart from the GR Reading challenge (which I did complete, yay)??? SO SKIP.

(This is not just because I’m scared to see how I failed reaching my other goals at the start of the year, of course not………)

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2017 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2018?

I have a post coming up on this so ;)) (But basically all of them okay)

A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena: Ohhh I love all of these diverse novels coming out this year! YES PLEASE.

My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sharma: Bollywood!! I LOVE BOLLYWOOD, OKAY. This will probably be cheesy, maybe even unrealistic, but it will be the cutest and I can’t waittttt. ❤

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi: The synopsis already sounds so beautiful and magical and jifjigjworjigiorjg so many awesome fantasies this year??!

Everless by Sara Holland: THAT COVER. I know it’s not realted to it, but it reminds me so much of Aladdin and I just love the cover so much. (That’s all the reason I need, okay.)

Ink, Iron and Glass by Gwendolyn Clare: You can create an entire world by writing. Like an ACTUAL WORLD. (This is lowkey what every writer dreams of … okay, or what I dream of, whatever.) Also that cover!!

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2018?

Series Enders:

Allied by Amy Tintera: I didn’t actually read the second book of the Ruined trilogy yet but I LOVED the first book!! LET’S GO with the fantasy and epicness, people.

Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare: DON’T KILL ME, BUT I haven’t read Lord of Shadows yet? *runs away* BUT THIS BOOK. Once we near its release (December, darnit) I will for sure binge read the entire trilogy, I promise.

Sequels (or fourth books):

Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi:MARCH 6TH, GUYS. (I’m so shook there are going to be 3 more books in the Shatter Me world?? YAS.)

Iron Gold by Pierce Brown: CAN YOU HEAR ME SCREAMING RIGHT NOW????!?!! (It’s coming out THIS MONTH holy crap)

One Ten Things You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2018?

Yup, 10! LET’S GO and watch how I fail epically at these goals in the next 2 days.

Read 65 books. I managed around 70 books this year, so I think it should be doable? I would set it higher but then if I set it low and read more it seems like I’m more of an over-achiever than I am? #hacks

Write AT LEAST a mini-review for each book I read, right after reading them. (Hahahahah let’s see how long this lasts –> so far it’s not horrible? But I’ve only read 2 books.)

Post 1-2 reviews on the blog each month. (I seriously have done SO little reviews this year, and I want to see if I can change it up so I enjoy writing them more often!)

BLOG HOP BLOG HOP BLOG HOP

Discover how to freeze time

BLOG HOP BLOG HOP BLOG HOP (in case you didn’t guess, blog hopping is a very big goal of mine this year, in general just making more time to comment on other blogs?)

Not fail completely at following a blog schedule (HAHAHA) aka write posts in advance and not the day of

Take less hiatuses! –> I’M (hopefully) HERE TO STAY

Say it with me: BLOG HOP!

FREEZE TIME PLEASE

At least I started off realistically? 2018 is gonna be a GREAT YEAR, GUYS. (I hope.)

What are some of your favourites of 2017??What was your top genre? Have you read and/or loved any of the same books as me? What was your best and/or hardest moment of blogging this year?

And feel free to name a 2018 release you’re looking forward to and/or a 2018 resolution YOU’VE made if you made it this far! (Which is quite a feat with this post, not gonna lie. Making this post I was just putting ALLLL of my 2017 feels in here whereas I technically could’ve split this into, like, 2 or 3 posts? I’m smart.)

All this to say:

Happy New Year!! I hope you guys are all happy and having a lovely time, wherever you are! ❤

There’s no way I could pick just one! Some of my favorites were: A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard, Turtles All the Way Down by John Green, Noteworthy by Riley Redgate, Far From the Tree by Robin Benway, Kat & Meg Conquer the World by Anna Priemaza, The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed, The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily by Laura Creedle, & If Birds Fly Back by Carlie Sorosiak.

Ooh yes I forgot to mention A Quiet Kind of Thunder! Such a cute book and disability rep as well, YES. 😍 I haven’t read any of the other books you mentioned, but they’re on my TBR, and I’m so glad you loved them! ❤️ They sound sooo good.

Okay, too many books cited and too many things to say XD So I will be basic.. I’m so glad you loved The Upside of Unrequited and The Book Thief ❤

I read The Cruel Prince thanks to an eARC… but I only saw great reviews all around. I really liked, even if Black isn't my favorite author. Might becomes one if she keeps up like this.
I cannot wait for Iron, Ink and Glass, even if I've some doubts about italian representations there thanks the blurb. I'm probably gonna buy as soon as it comes out. I really want to read this victorian Italy it talks about. That's my country, so…

Ohh yes I checked back on Goodreads and it definitely seems to be a common favourite, I must’ve mixed it up with another book! 🙈 I’m so glad you liked it, I absolutely can’t wait to read it!! ❤️
Ooh that’s so lovely, it feels so great to have your country represented in books (since most are set in the US)! I do hope the representation is true to your country. 😊 I can’t wait to hear what you think of it! ❤️

Ohmigosh Analee it feels like FOREVER AGO since I saw one of your posts!!!!!!! I‘m so happy to see you‘re kinda sorta hopefully (??) back from your break (although I shouldn‘t be talking ahaha I always disappear without telling anyone XD) BUT OMG AREN‘T YOU SUPER EXCITED FOR RESTORE ME BECAUSE MY HEART IS ABOUT TO BURST!!!!!! THERE‘S RESTORE ME SAMPLER SNEAK PEEKS AT B&N AND IT‘S 30 PAGES LONG AND IT KILLLLED ME 😭😭😭

IT HONESTLY HAS BEEN FOREVER OMG. 😳🙊 (Hahah I’m glad I’m not alone there 😂) I missed talking to you so much, it’s been so longggg ah! I hope you’re doing well?!?! ❤️❤️

I KNOW RIGHT LIKE WHEN CAN I HAVE IT PLEASE????? Omg I haven’t read it but I’m sure it must’ve been AMAZING. Did it end with a cliffhanger? It must’ve ended with a cliffhanger. 😱 HERE’S PRAYING ITS RELEASE DATE COMES SOOOOOON 😭😭

I always feel like screaming YOU ARE BAAAACK at you, just to convey how happy I am about that! I always miss you when you are away from blogging, even if I SUCK at blog hopping. Hope you know that ❤ ❤ ❤
Also, I pre-ordered Iron Gold and nothing but slow mail service will stand between me and reading it as soon as it is out. I CANNOT wait to finally get my hands on it. I know he only wanted to make it the best book possible, but the delay from August nearly killed me.

KAT YOU ARE THE SWEETEST I’ve missed you so muchhhh. ❤️❤️❤️ How are you?!? Your words mean the WORLD to me, thank you, lovely. 😭❤️

RIGHT?!? I’m SO EXCITED. I’m rereading the series now (even though Iron Gold is set, like years after the events of the trilogy right?) and I JUST CAN’T WAIT. Sameeee it’s been so long. A week left, now! So close ahhh. 😍😍

I am good! I am job hunting (a little unsuccessfully so far), but that is life after you just up and left the country for a while and have a huge hole on your CV now 😀
Yeah, Iron Gold is a little later, but it’s still the same people. A reread is warranted 😉

Ohh GOOD LUCK!! Job hunting is tough as it is, and it must be even more difficult for sure after that length of time gone!! I wish you the absolute best, I’m sure employers will soon recognize you as the wonderful person (and employee) you are!! ❤️❤️❤️ *offers chocolate and hugs* Ahah yes, exactly. Only a few more days ahh!!! 😍

Welcome back, Analee! The Hate U Give was definitely my fave of 2017, and I’ll Give You the Sun was a close runner-up. I like the idea of writing a little mini review for every book you read! I might try something similar to that, but maybe not every single book. Happy new year!

Thank you so much Annie!! ❤️ OH YES those two are such amazing books! I’m so glad you enjoyed I’ll Give You the Sun, I loved that one when I read it. Yes, it’s quite useful to keep track of your thoughts on books without taking too much time! 😊 Happy new year to you as well! ❤️❤️

Oh my goodness I read so many good books this year! Our Dark Duet (and This Savage Song) was definitely up there, and I also really loved Eliza and Her Monsters… and SO many more, but this would be a crazy long comment if I named them all… 😁

Aaahh, Analee, I’m so glad you’re back! I’ve missed you and your wonderful posts. 💜 And fjsjdks THERE ARE TOO MANY BOOKS TO TALK ABOUT??? ACOL and ODD definitely were favorites of the year, and ones that crushed my SOOOUUUUL. 😭

Hmm, I didn’t hear any mixed reviews for The Cruel Prince?? That’s super interesting, I’ll have to look into that! And DFKSLFKAF I’m so excited for all of these amazing 2018 releases!! I’m actually getting a physical ARC of Furyborn so I’m SUPER EXCITED about that. One of my most anticipated releases that I don’t think you mentioned was Girl Made of Stars, by the same author of How to Make a Wish!! It sounds AMAZING and I can’t waaait for it. 😍

MAYYY I’ve missed you SO MUCH. ❤️❤️ Thank you!
HAHAH I know right?! 😂 YESSS THEY WERE SO GOOD.

I could’ve sworn I saw negative/mixed reviews on it but there weren’t many when I checked on Goodreads? I must’ve mixed it up with another book haha everyone seems to LOVE it. 😅😂 YESSS 2018 is such an amazing year for book releases?!? Omg that is SO COOL! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it! ❤️ Ooh I’ve heard of that! Yes, it sounds so so fabulous for sure omg. 😍😍

Yayayy Analee you’re backkk! YESS!
HAPPYY NEWW YEARRR ❤
It feels so good to see your post on my reader! Also, Whatt a lovely post!
It’s so good to see the entire of 2017 put together in one post!
Honestly, I don’t think I need to mention your book selections, cause as usual they are PERFECT!
I can’t even talk about these books, soo gooodd!
Anyway, gooodd to see youuuu backkk and looking forward to more posts! ❤

AHHH I AM SO HAPPY THAT YOU ARE BACK ANALEE! ❤ I have missed you and your posts so, so much. I wish you a very happy new year, filled with love, books and everyt'hing you want ❤ ❤ ❤
I really want to read How To Make A Wish this year, it sounds fantastic and seeing it on your favorites' list makes me even more impatient. I LOVED A List of Cages and you're right, the siblings relationship in this one was SO PRECIOUS.
Best of luck for all of your goals!! ❤ ❤ ❤

AHH THANK YOU MARIE I’VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!! ❤️❤️❤️ You are so sweet, this just made my day omg. ❤️❤️ Right back at you! Wishing you the ABSOLUTE BEST for 2018, I hope you have an AMAZING year. ❤️
Oh, I think you will love it, Marie! I can’t wait for you to read it sometime. RIGHT?!? I’m so happy someone else read it ahah, I feel like it’s been so underrated. The sibling relationship was soooo beautiful ah. 😭😍
Thank you so much!! 😊❤️

Great post, I’m glad you read so many 5 stars books last year. The Hate U Give was such an amazing book and my copy of Cruel Prince just arrived and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it. I hope you have an amazing 2018 😀😀

WELCOME BACK!! There are so many books on here that are just?? So good?? I agree with so many of your choices. But the one I was the most YES about was Monty and Percy for your OTP….I love them so much, hahahah.

BLOG HOP! Hahahahahaha, I can say it with you ALOT. And why are reviews SO HARD to write???? I just flail about and HOPE the words make sense. Cause reviews are the worst, and the best, too. Just HARD.
I loved the Hate U Give – I finally read it in December and it was soooo good, and I’m so glad I read it. It made me cry so much and FEEL so deep.

2017 blogging was interesting, I didn’t decide to start talking books till August, and then I took a hiatus in October, and finally started getting serious in November. I think I know what I’m doing now, so we’ll see how 2018 goes.

YES! Let’s go. 😂💪 Ahaha I’m glad I’m not the only one. RIGHT?!? I’ve just given up on full length reviews because HOW. I love them but then I don’t?? THE STRUGGLE.
Yayayay I’m so happy you loved THUG, it was so amazing!! ❤️

Oh, that’s great! (Yay, books!) I took a hiatus in October too, ahah. I’m glad you’re more comfortable (if that’s the right word) now; wishing you the best for 2018! ❤️❤️

I’m so glad you had so many five star reads this past year; that’s awesome! There are way too many books to talk about here, but you’ve read so many good things! I still need to read The Female of the Species despite owning a physical copy for, like, a year now??? Oops. AND SO MANY AMAZING 2018 RELEASES GAH.

Welcome back Analee! It’s been a long time! You’ve read so many amazing books in 2017. I loved ACOWAR, Letters to the Lost, Our Dark Duet, and The Gentleman’s guide to vice and virtue. I haven’t read ADSOM yet but I’m planning to binge read the whole trilogy this year. I’m also pretty excited for all of these 2018 YA fantasy releases especially Cruel Prince. I can’t wait to read them all!
Anyway, I hope you have an amazing 2018! 🙂

Thank you, Raven! ❤️ It really has been. Ohhh yes, those books were all SO amazing. Oh my gosh yes you definitely must read the trilogy this year!! 😆 It’s SO GOOD, I hope you love it. Yes! The Cruel Prince seems so good. 😍 Thank you, to you as well!!

Welcome back and Happy New Year!! I just love your stats!! Looks like you did a great job of choosing good books 😀 And I think you had a good mix of genres 🙂 Red Rising is amazing! And I’m glad to see Always and forever on here cos I still need to read it 😀 And yay that you liked Book Thief! I also want to read One of us is lying and gentleman’s guide 😀 And yes to Sevro and Darrow and Kell and Rhy!! Geekerella looks so fun! Amazing goals as well!

Thank you so much, happy new year to you as well! ❤️😊 Ahha it seems I really did. Yes!! I’m currently rereading the series because I couldn’t resist, with Iron Gold coming out soon haha. Oh yes, Always and Forever was so cute!! Definitely read it. I hope you enjoy One of Us is Lying and The Gentleman’s Guide when you get around to them! 😍 RIGHT?!? They’re amazing omg. Thank you!